Traction device for physical therapy

Abstract

A traction device for use on a support surface which includes a body contacting assembly which releasably contacts the a suitable anatomical region of the patient, a gas spring and associated assembly, the gas spring variable between an extended rest position and a retracted force exerting position, and means of relieving traction force exerted by the gas spring and associated assembly.

1. A traction device for use on a support surface comprising:
 a body contacting assembly adapted to releasably contact an anatomical region of a patient; 
 tractive force exertion apparatus capable of exerting tractive force on the body contacting assembly, the tractive force exertion apparatus including: 
 (a) a force exerting member having an upper end and a lower end, the force exerting member variable between an extended rest position and a force exerting position; 
 (b) means for positioning the force exerting member into a nonforce-exerting position, the positioning means including an externally powered mechanism; 
 (c) a pulley mechanism located proximate to the upper end of the force exerting member; 
 (d) an elongate member adjustably attached to the lower end of the force exerting member; and 
 (e) a truss pivotally attached to the elongate member; and 
 a tractive force transferring system capable of transferring tractive force from the tractive force exertion apparatus to the body contacting assembly; 
 wherein the truss has a first end region and a second end region, the first end region pivotally connected to the elongate member and located a spaced distance from the lower end of the force exerting member, the second end region connected proximate to the pulley mechanism and proximate to the upper end of the force exerting member. 
 
   
   
     2. The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the tractive force exertion apparatus is mounted to the support surface. 
   
   
     3. The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the tractive force exertion apparatus is mounted to a vertical support proximate to the support surface. 
   
   
     4. The traction device of  claim 3  wherein the support surface is a table, wherein the traction device further comprises at least one mounting bracket affixed to the table, the tractive force exertion apparatus mounted on the mounting bracket. 
   
   
     5. The traction device of  claim 1  wherein the tractive force exertion apparatus further comprises:
 a linear actuator positioned between and in contact with the elongated member and truss, the linear actuator having at least one outwardly telescoping rod positioned between and in contact with the elongated member and truss; and 
 a power supply controller capable of cycling the linear actuator. 
 
   
   
     6. The traction device of  claim 5  wherein the tractive force exertion apparatus further comprises at least one linkage fixedly mounted to the elongate member, wherein the elongate member is moveable between a first rest position and a at least a second actuated position, wherein the linkage permits a gas spring to exert force on the tension line upon extension of the linear actuator yet allows the linear actuator to compress the gas spring when it is retracted. 
   
   
     7. The traction device of  claim 1  further comprising a housing, the housing having an inner chamber configured to contain at least a portion of the tractive force exertion apparatus. 
   
   
     8. The traction device of  claim 1  wherein a tractive force transferring system further comprises a tension line configured to extend through the pulley mechanism from a point of attachment with the body contacting assembly to a point of attachment with the elongate member of the tractive force exertion apparatus. 
   
   
     9. The traction device of  claim 8  wherein the force exerting member is a gas spring having a gas spring retraction means wherein the gas spring retraction means comprises a tension release line, the tension release line connected to the tension line and terminating in a structure suitable for releasable contact with an anatomical region of the patient. 
   
   
     10. The traction device of  claim 9  wherein positioning means operates on the force exerting member to achieve a retractive movement and wherein the externally powered mechanism of the gas spring retraction means comprises;
 a linear actuator having a telescopically projecting member; 
 at least one linkage having a first end and an opposed second end, the linkage fixedly attached to the elongate member at the second end and configured to telescopically receives the telescopically projecting member proximate to the first end, and 
 a motor actionable on the linear actuator. 
 
   
   
     11. The traction device of  claim 9  wherein the tractive force transferring system further comprises at least one pulley assembly, the pulley assembly including a pulley in moveable engagement with the tension line and means for mounting the pulley assembly on the tractive force exertion apparatus at a location proximate a gas spring. 
   
   
     12. The traction device of  claim 11  wherein the pulley assembly further includes at least one additional pulley and an adjustable triangular mounting assembly, the additional pulley moveably mounted on an adjustable triangular mounting assembly, the triangular mounting assembly connected to either the elongate member or the truss such that the at least one additional pulley is positioned at a variable distance from either the elongate member or the truss to which it is connected. 
   
   
     13. A traction device for use on a support surface comprising:
 a body contacting assembly adapted to releasably contact an anatomical region of a patient; 
 a tractive force exerting apparatus capable of exerting force on the body contacting assembly, the tractive force exerting apparatus including: 
 (a) a gas spring member variable between an extended rest position and a retracted force exerting position, the gas spring having an upper end and an opposed lower end; 
 (b) an elongate member adjustably attached to one end of the gas spring; 
 (c) a truss having a first end region and a second end region, the first end region located a spaced distance from the end of the gas spring and the second end region located proximate to the elongate member, wherein the truss is in pivotal connection with the elongate member; 
 a tractive force transferring system, the tractive force transferring system including a tension line having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the body contacting assembly, the second end connected to the tractive force exerting apparatus; 
 a tension release mechanism, the tension release mechanism actionable on the tension line to release tractive force, the tension release mechanism including a motorized assembly actionable on the tension line to release, tension exerted on the tension line, the motorized assembly including a linear actuator switchable between an on state and an off state; wherein the linear actuator has an outwardly telescoping rod positioned between and in contact with the elongated member and truss and at least one controller operable on the power supply. 
 
   
   
     14. The traction device of  claim 13  wherein the tension release mechanism comprises:
 a linkage positioned on the elongate member and configured to telescopically receive the outwardly telescoping rod mounted between the linear actuator and the elongate member, such that the elongate member is moveable between a first rest position and a second retracted position, permitting the gas spring to exert force on the tension line upon extension of the linear actuator rod and allowing the linear actuator to compress the gas spring when it is retracted. 
 
   
   
     15. The traction device of  claim 13  wherein the tractive force transferring means is mounted to the support surface and wherein the support surface is a table, wherein the traction device further comprises at least one mounting bracket affixed to the table, the tractive force exertion apparatus mounted on the mounting bracket. 
   
   
     16. The traction device of  claim 13  further wherein the traction force exerting assembly comprises at least one pulley mechanism located proximate to an upper end of the gas spring, wherein the tension line extends through the pulley mechanism from a point of attachment with the body contacting assembly to a point of attachment with the elongate member of the tractive force exerting mechanism. 
   
   
     17. The traction device of  claim 16  wherein the pulley assembly further includes at least one additional pulley and an adjustable triangular mounting assembly, the additional pulley rotatably mounted on an adjustable triangular mounting assembly, the triangular mounting assembly connected to either the elongate rod or the truss such that the at least one additional pulley is positioned at a spaced distance from the member to which it is connected.